Geelong superstar Jeremy Cameron kicked 10 goals to lead the Cats to a thumping 75-point win over an injury-ravaged Western Bulldogs on Friday night.
While home crowd loved every minute of Cameron’s stunning haul, they reserved their biggest cheer for unheralded teammate Jake Kolodjashnij.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Jake Kolodjashnij goals in 200th game
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The veteran defender not only celebrated his 200th game with a big win, but managed to drift forward for a rare goal in the fourth quarter.
Collecting the ball in traffic, Kolodjashnij burst clear before launching a brilliant long bomb from just inside 50 to bring the house down.
Every Geelong player got to their much-loved teammate, while the crowd rose as one to applaud the fan favourite for just the fifth goal of his career.
Kolodjashnij had been a mainstay in the Cats backline for much of his career, including playing in the 2022 premiership side.
His entire 2025 season was ruined by injury, but he made his return last week against West Coast before celebrating his 200th game against the Dogs.
“Unbelievable. That gave me more excitement that kicking them myself,” Cameron said after the match.
“To see someone who has worked so hard to get back … I’m sure he was unsure if he’d ever make it back and play footy.
“That was just awesome to see that sail through.”
Cameron was irresistible from the outset, kicking two goals in the first quarter before exploding with five majors in the second to make it seven by half-time.
He had his ninth early in the last quarter, but it looked like double figures would elude him until the final seconds when he marked and kicked a trademark snap to get 10 for the second time in his career.
Bailey Smith was influential against his former club with 33 disposals, 11 clearances and one goal, while Max Holmes (28 touches), Oliver Dempsey (27) and Shaun Mannagh (21) also shone for Geelong.
Captain Patrick Dangerfield made a positive return from a calf injury with two goals from 19 touches in his second game of the season.
The Bulldogs could have turned their toes up after losing Darcy and Liberatore, but stemmed the bleeding for a period with four goals to one in the third quarter.
Aaron Naughton kicked three goals, while Ed Richards tallied 30 touches and six clearances, and Matthew Kennedy (27 touches) fought hard.
But the fallout for the Dogs will be significant.
Coach Luke Beveridge said it had been a really “traumatic” night for his club.
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